After ten years of study, computer ‘gaming disorder’ will be listed as an illness by the World Health Organization for the first time next year.

WHO’s move to include computer gaming disorder in its International Classification of Diseases list comes after growing concern about the effects of gaming, especially among some Asian nations such as South Korea. South Korea has already introduced laws to limit access to computer games for children.

As it is currently, the draft lists a range of criteria that medical professionals could use to decide if an individual’s gaming habits have developed into a serious health condition.

According to the draft seen by New Scientist, an individual has a gaming disorder if they give growing precedence to computer games “to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other life interests.”

Such unhealthy behavior would have to be ongoing for at least a 12 month period before a diagnosis is made.

The draft also said sufferers will continue to play computer games even when it results in negative consequences.

Vladimir Poznyak from the WHO’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse told New Scientist that health professionals need to recognize that gaming disorders may have serious health consequences.

“Most people who play video games don’t have a disorder, just like most people who drink alcohol don’t have a disorder either,” said Poznyak. “However, in certain circumstances overuse can lead to adverse effects.”

Estimates of the proportion of computer game players who have a problem range from 0.2 per cent to one in five.

The greatest people at risk of a gaming disorder are children and teenagers.

The academy noted that many of the most popular computer games emphasize negative themes and promote a range of negative behavior such as “the killing of people or animals” and “criminal behavior, disrespect for authority and the law.”

America’s domestic computer game industry is a multi-billion dollar industry.